This is an admission on my part, means:
I’m admitting it;
I’m saying I did it; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After the fact

After something has happened.

You’ve already signed the contract. You can’t change it after the fact!

Your honor, the evidence was planted at the scene after the fact!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Age before beauty

Older person first, prettier person next.

This is used (mostly by older men) when younger or prettier women
let older men do something first, or hold the door for them, etc. It is
used as a humorous compliment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ahead of the curve

Ahead of the others.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ain’t

Isn’t.
Is not.
Aren’t.
Am not.
Are not.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ain’t that the truth!

I really agree.
That is the truth.
That is exactly the truth.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Airhead
Air head

Stupid.
Ditzy, empty-headed, no brain.

She’s an airhead. She can’t even spell her own name!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Airing one’s dirty laundry

Exposing one’s private matters.

Also:
Airing one’s dirty laundry in public.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AKA
a/k/a

This is an abbreviation for:
Also Known As.

Let me introduce you to Bill, a/k/a the Love Machine!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Albatross around one’s neck

A punishment. (In the old days.)
A burden that is difficult to get rid of.
A burden to remind the guilty person of his crime.

Also see:
White elephant.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alive and kicking

Alive.
Healthy.
Alive and healthy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All bets are off.

Rules don’t apply any more.
All agreements are canceled.

A. And one more thing, I also want a 20 percent raise every year.
B. In that case all bets are off! We’ve never talked about an automatic raise before.

Compare to: No holds barred.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All but

Almost, nearly all, as in:
The chairman’s visit was all but certain. I’m surprised he canceled it!

Everyone (or everything) except, as in:
All but the morons stayed home during the heavy snow.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All hands on deck

Everyone needs to help.
Everybody be ready (to get started).

We have so much to do. Come on everyone! All hands on deck!

Background:
This was originally a seaman’s term. When turbulent seas caused a boat
or ship to be in danger, the captain would call All hands on deck! It is
now a general term.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All out
All-out

Full force.
With all available resources.

All-out war, all-out effort, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All talk and no action

This is said about people who:
Give lip service.
Make promises but never keep them.
Talk a lot, but don’t really do anything.

Q. What do you think of the new manager? Sounds like he’ll do a lot for us!
A. Don’t be so sure. I know him from before, and I know he’s all talk and no action!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All the same

Still.
However.
In spite of.
Regardless.
Nevertheless.

It was a long trip, but a nice one all the same.
She may have acted stupidly as they say, but she’s a gifted performer all the same.

Making no difference, as in:
Democrat, Republican, they’re all the same.
If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather stay home.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All too easy

Too easy.
Very easy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All walks of life

When you say People from all walks of life were in attendance, it means:
All kinds of people were there.
All professions and classes were represented.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

All’s well that ends well.

If it ends well, it’s okay.
The important thing is that it ends well, no matter what else happens.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Along party lines
Political

In line (in agreement) with one’s own party, even if it means going against the will of the people who elected them.

When you say: The senators are voting along party lines, you mean:
They are voting for their own party’s agenda; Democrats for Democrats, and Republicans for Republicans.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Along the lines of

Something like that.

When someone says: Sohaila said something along the lines of quitting school, they mean:
She said she doesn’t want to go to school anymore, or something like that.

Also: Something to that effect.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

America’s Finest City

This is a nickname for the city of San Diego, although not many people in other cities agree with it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Amounting to something

Becoming successful, having a meaningful life:

Q. Dad, do you think I’ll ever amount to anything?
A. Of course, son. You’re smart, you work hard, and you have a good teacher, me!

Being the same as, or similar to, something:

A. I give up. I’m not going to work on this project anymore.
B. If you ask me, don’t stop. In my book, quitting amounts to failure!
A. They say they want to train us, but they are really threatening us.
B. That’s right. This “training” session is really amounting to intimidation!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And counting

Still going on.
There will be more.

Layoffs total 45,000 and counting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And something to match

If someone says: She has beautiful eyes and a smile to match, they mean something like:
Her smile is equally as beautiful as her eyes;
Her smile matches her beautiful eyes; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And then some

And even more.
Even more than that.

Q. This lady was nice to offer us food. Did you pay her for the food?
A. I’ve been very generous to her. I’ve paid for the food, and then some!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Animal magnetism

Sex appeal.
Attractiveness in a rough way.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anyone’s guess
Anybody’s guess

No one knows.
No one knows for sure.

When someone says: The answer is anybody’s guess, they mean: No one knows the answer.
When someone says: What she’ll do is anyone’s guess, they mean: We don’t know what she’ll do.

Also: Your guess is as good as mine!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anyway you cut it
Anyway you slice it

Anyway you do it.
Anyway you look at it.

And, for a little humor:
Anyway you look at it you lose. Ask Mrs. Robinson!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Appealing to people

Attractive to people.
Something that people like.

Related:
If something appeals to you, you like it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Are you cool?

Are you okay?
Is everything okay?
Have you chilled out? (After an argument.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Are you with me?

Do you understand?

Another meaning:
Do you agree with me?

Related: You’re either with us, or against us!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Around-the-clock
Round-the-clock

Continuously.
Twenty four hours a day.

We’ve been working around-the-clock to meet our deadline, I mean ALL of the time!

Also:
24/7.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As God is my witness!

I swear to God!
God is my witness.
God knows I’m telling the truth.

As God is my witness, I’ll do my best to defend you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As good as dead

Dying.
Not active.
Will be dead.
Heading in the direction of being dead.

If you say: He’s as good as dead, it could mean any of the following:
He’s dying;
He’s not active;
He’ll die very soon;
He will be killed very soon;
If I see him again, he’ll be in trouble, etc.

Note: Also applies to plans, projects, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As luck would have it

As it turned out.
The way it happened.
As luck would have it, I had left my wallet at home. So I couldn’t buy the jacket!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As much as the next guy
As much as the next person

The usual amount.
The same amount.
The normal amount.

Don’t get me wrong. I love watching political debates as much as the next guy. I just don’t like this one.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As of some time

Depending on how it is used, As of some time means “until,” or “starting.”

As of yesterday, we had not received a notice! (Until yesterday.)
As of yesterday, we’re not friends anymore! (Starting yesterday.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As sure as Bob’s your uncle

Sure.
You can be one hundred percent sure.

Q. Are you sure this is going to work?
A. I’ve done it before, and, as sure as Bob’s your uncle, it’ll work for you, too.

Also: There you have it!

Compare to: Bob’s your uncle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As we speak
Even as we speak

Right now.
At this very moment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As well
As well as

Too.
And.
Also.
In addition to.

I’ll buy some food as well as some gas.
I’ll buy some food, and some gas as well.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ASAP

This is an abbreviation for:
As Soon As Possible.

We need some help ASAP!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Asleep at the wheel
Asleep at the switch

Missing the problem signals.
Not doing one’s job (properly).
Not being aware of what’s going on.

Q. We’re about to go bankrupt. Why isn’t the management doing anything?
A. They must have fallen asleep at the wheel!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Asset, liability

Asset is a positive point, an advantage, a good thing to have, as in:
Welcome to our company. Having you on our team is a great asset!

Liability is a negative point, a disadvantage, a bad thing to have, as in:

When someone says: He’ll be a liability for us, they mean:
His presence will hurt us more than it will help.
If we keep him, it won’t be good for our image.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Assuming you are right

If you’re right.
Let’s say you’re right.
Supposing you’re right.

Similarly:
Assuming it will rain; assuming we still have time; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At a moment’s notice

Quickly.
Very fast.
At any time.

Don’t worry! Just call me and I’ll be there at a moment’s notice.
Firemen need to be ready to respond to an alarm at a moment’s notice.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At arm’s length
Origin: Legal

At a distance.

When someone says: He’s been allowed to manage the project at arm’s length, they mean: His control over the project is limited.

In law or real estate:
At arm’s length refers to a transaction between parties who are not related to each other.

Also used in terms of relationships:
She’s been hurt so many times, she is keeping him at arm’s length emotionally.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At best, at worst

The best and the worst possibilities expected in a certain situation.

If someone says: At best they won’t say hello, and at worst
they’ll call the police, it means something like: The best thing they
might do to me is not say hello, and the worst thing is they’ll call the
police to kick me off the field!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At each other’s throats

Verbally fighting.
Arguing very angrily.

A. I thought they were going to kill each other.
B. I know, they were really going at each other’s throats!

Similar:
Duking it out.
Going at each other. Letting each other have it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At large

As a whole, as in:
The city at large.

Not specific to a certain area, as in:
The representative at large.

Free, not in captivity, as in:
The killer is no longer at large. He has been arrested.

When someone says: They’re vacationing at DeWitt’s expense, they mean:
DeWitt is paying for it.

When someone says: They’re laughing at Henry’s expense, or at the expense of his feelings, they mean:
They’re making fun of Henry.

When someone says: We’re publishing books faster at quality’s expense, or at the expense of quality, they mean something like:
We’re publishing more books, but with lower quality.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At someone’s mercy
At the mercy of someone

Under someone’s control.

When someone says: We’re at April’s mercy, they mean something like:
It’s April’s decision;
She’ll call if she wants to;
We’ll have to do what she says;
What we do, or what will be done to us, is all up to her; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At the end of the day

In the end.
When it’s all over.
All things considered.
Considering everything.

At the end of the day YOU have to decide what you want to do with your life, not me!

Also: When it’s all said and done.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At the risk of

Taking the risk of.
Running the risk of.

If you say: At the risk of offending you, here’s what I think, you probably mean:
I hope you don’t mind, but I think you’re wrong;
I may be offending you, but I think you’re a moron;
I hope I’m not upsetting you, but I think you’re crazy; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At the top of one’s voice
At the top of one’s lungs

Very loud.
The loudest voice with which one can talk or sing.

Q. How’s your neighbor doing? Are you glad you’re living next door to an opera singer?
A. No, I’m going crazy. She’s always singing at the top of her lungs!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AWOL
Military

This is an abbreviation for:
Absent WithOut Leave.

When someone says: He’s AWOL, it could mean any of the following:
No one knows where he is.
He has left without permission.
He’s absent without approval to leave.

Note:
This is a military term, but it is being used outside the military as well.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back in the day

A long time ago.
Years, maybe decades or generations, ago.

Q. Isn’t it funny that your mom still sends handwritten letters to her friends?
A. Yeah. Actually, back in the day, that was the only way to communicate!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back of the barn

This has a sexual connotation.

When you say: They’ve been to the back of the barn, you mean something like:
They’re more than friends;
They know each other very well;
They have (had) a sexual relationship; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back on one’s feet

Back to one’s normal condition with respect to health, finances, etc.

I’ve been down with the flu, but I hope to get back on my feet soon.
He lost everything due to the economy, but he hopes to find a job and get back on his feet again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back story
Back-story

Not the main story.
The story in the background.

I’d like to know more about Batman’s back story. I already know what he does. I want to know what made him who he is.

Your wife is so charming that I don’t want to believe what people say about her!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Backhanding
Origin: Sports

Hitting with the back of the hand.
Returning a shot with the back of the hand.

After he made a joke at her expense, she playfully backhanded him on the arm.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Backing down

Yielding after being aggressive at first.
Changing one’s position or decision under pressure.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Backseat driver

Someone who complains about how badly other people do things, but
won’t do anything about it himself, or herself, similar to a person in a
car who’s not driving but corrects the driver and/or tells the driver
what to do.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Backstabber
Back stabber
Back-stabber

A person who:
Attacks you unfairly behind your back.
Hurts you when you’re not expecting it.
Befriends you but betrays you to others behind your back.
Assures you of his or her support, but does not support you when you need it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bad blood

Friction.
Hostility.
Bad history.

Q. Why can’t those two get married?
A. There’s bad blood between their families. They won’t let them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bad news

When you say: Stay away from her, she’s bad news, you might mean one of the following:
She does drugs;
She’s a bad influence;
She writes bad checks;
She regularly misses school;
She might get you in trouble; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bad seed
Bad to the bone

Really bad.
Completely bad, pure evil.
Not just bad on the surface but all the way through to the bone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bailing (out)

Quitting.

After only one week on the job, he bailed (out).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bailing (out) on someone

Leaving them.
Abandoning them.

My wife has bailed out on me!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bailing someone out
Origin: Legal

Helping, as in:
I’m tired of bailing you out of your problems. Next time, call someone else!

Related:
Helping someone out of jail by paying the bail money.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bait and switch

Telling a lie at first, and changing one’s word later, in order to cheat someone.

They’re using a bait-and-switch strategy. They get you interested
in their plan with a low interest rate, but tell you about the hidden
fees later, at which time they encourage you to accept their plan with a
higher interest rate!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Balancing act

Multi-tasking.
Doing, or trying to do, more than one thing at a time.

A. The government needs to do a lot about health care, jobs, the war, recession, etc.
B. They will need to do a real balancing act if they don’t want to fail.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ball is in your court.
Origin: Sports

It’s up to you.
It’s your turn.
It’s your decision.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bang for one’s buck

Value for one’s money.

When someone says: You get the most bang for your buck here, they mean something like:
Our prices are the lowest;
Here you get more for what you pay;
Your dollar goes a long way in this store; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bar none

No exceptions.

When someone says: This restaurant has the best steak in town,
bar none, they mean something like: It has the best steak in town
without any exceptions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bare knuckle fight
Bare knuckle race
Sports

A fight with no rules.
A fight where anything is allowed.

Also see:
All bets are off.
No holds barred.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bargaining table

Negotiation.
A place for negotiations.

When someone says: They’re still at the bargaining table, they mean something like:
There’s still hope;
They’re still talking;
They haven’t stopped negotiating;
They haven’t come to a decision yet; etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bases in baseball
Sports

First, second, and third base refer to various stages in the game of baseball. Home run, or home base, is the ultimate stage.

All of these terms also refer to various levels of success in any
activity, where first base refers to minor success, and home run refers
to achieving a goal in a big way.

All of these terms also refer to various stages in a romantic or
sexual relationship, where first base refers to kissing, and home run
refers to full sexual intercourse.

When someone says: He didn’t get anywhere, not even to first base, they mean something like:
He wasn’t very successful in his business, or, He didn’t even get to kiss her!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Be as it may
Be that as it may

However.
Although that may be true.

A. I think John means well.
B. Be that as it may, he’s an idiot!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Be put under
Medical

Be sedated or drugged into unconsciousness.

Q. Why didn’t you tell them they were operating on the wrong knee?
A. I was put under! I didn’t know what was going on.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bean counter

An accountant.
A financial officer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beating a dead horse

Repeatedly talking about something.
Talking about something that has already been decided.
Wasting one’s time talking about something that won’t change.

Q. Can we talk about my trip now?
A. Come on, stop beating a dead horse! We have already decided that you’re not going.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beating a rap
Origin: Legal

Getting out of a bad situation without being punished.

Q. Didn’t they arrest him for stealing from his mother?
A. Yeah, but somehow he beat the rap and avoided going to jail.

Also see: Getting away with something.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beating around the bush

Speaking indirectly.
Not saying what’s on one’s mind.

Of course I’ve asked her about her plans, but she always beats around the bush. She never gives me a straight answer.

Also:
Dance around the issue.
Dance around something.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beating someone to it

Doing something before someone else gets a chance to do it.

Q. Did you pick up the free tickets?
A. I was going to, but my so called friend beat me to it.

Also: Beating someone to the punch.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beating the heck out of someone

An exaggerated, but polite, way of saying:
Beating someone up seriously.
Really beating someone at a game.

The following mean the same thing but are not polite:
Beating the hell (or the ho-ho’s, or the bejesus, or the sh-t, or the crap) out of someone.

If I can’t be a burning candle for those who count on me, then what’s the use?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being above doing something

If someone says: Susan feels she is above being a secretary, they mean something like:
Susan thinks being a secretary is beneath her, or is not good enough for her, etc.

Compare to: Not being above doing something.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being carded
Getting carded

Being checked for identification.

If someone says: She was carded at the door, they mean: Someone checked her identification card when she arrived.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being critical of ...

Criticizing someone or something.
Not approving someone or something.

The opposition is being critical of the government’s latest economic plans.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being decent.

Being properly dressed.
Having one’s clothes on.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being even with someone

Not owing them anything.

A. Thanks for the ride. I’ll make it up to you.
B. No, we’re even. You bought me lunch the other day.
A. Are you sure?
B. Yes, I don’t owe you anything, and you don’t owe me anything!

Compare to:
Don’t get mad, get even!
Getting even with someone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being framed
Legal

If someone says: Boris was framed, they mean something like:
He didn’t do what they say he did.
Someone arranged things to make him look guilty.
Someone gave false testimony (lied) to make him look guilty.
Someone planted (put) evidence somewhere to make him look guilty.

Similar: Being set up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being let go

Getting fired.
Being dismissed from a job.

Q. What happened to Jenny?
A. They found her sleeping on the job. She was let go this morning.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Being up to something

Planning to do something sneaky, as in:
I don’t usually see you at the office on weekends, but you’re here today! What are you up to?
Ricky is up to something. I can tell by the way he stops talking
whenever I come around. He’s hiding something. He’s up to no good!

Being able or willing to do something, as in:
Q. Are you up to going to the movies?
A. No, not today. Let’s do it tomorrow.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Believe you me!
Believe me you!

Believe me!

Also: You better believe it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Below the belt
Origin: Sports

Not fair.
Not by the rules.
Excessively mean.

Q. Did you hear what your opponent said about your background yesterday?
A. Yes. It was below the belt, not worthy of him, and definitely not appreciated.

Compare to: Cheap shot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bending someone’s ear

Talking to someone for a long time.

Also: Talking someone’s ear off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bending the rules
Breaking the rules
Origin: Legal, Political

Doing things that are against the rules.
Changing the rules a little to suit your needs or the needs of someone you want to help.

If you want the work to be done fast, we need to bend some rules!

We don’t usually take orders without a small deposit. I’m going
to bend the rules in your case, however, because you’ve been our client
for a long time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Beside oneself

Excited, emotional, upset, etc.
Stunned to the point of coming out of your body and being beside your own self.

She was so excited to see her baby again, she didn’t know what to do. She was beside herself with joy!

Not to be mistaken with besides which means in addition to.
Q. Why aren’t you coming with us?
A. I’m too tired. Besides, it’s too late.

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Beside the point

Not the issue.
Something else.
Not what we’re talking about.

Q. Did you also want to talk about my trip?
A. Yes, but that’s beside the point. That is not really why I called you.

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Better half

One’s spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.

Q. Where is your better half?
A. Oh she couldn’t come, but she sent her regards.

Also: Significant other.

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Better off

Doing better.

Q. Do you feel better now that she’s gone?
A. Yes, I’m much better off without her.

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Better part of

Most of.

I spend the better part of the year in California;
We were sleeping for the better part of the lecture; etc.

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Betting a cup of coffee

This is about being (or not being) sure about something.

When someone says: I wouldn’t bet a cup of coffee on that rumor, they obviously don’t trust that rumor.

Note:
Anything of little value could be used in place of coffee.

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Betting one’s bottom dollar

Being very sure about something.

You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be at that race next week. Count on it!

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Between a rock and a hard place
Between the devil and the deep blue sea

Being in a position where one doesn’t have any good choices available to choose from.

When someone says: I’m between a rock and a hard place, they mean something like:
I can’t do anything; I don’t know what else to do; etc.

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Between the two of us

The two of us together.

Between the two of us, we make a lot of money!

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Beyond a shadow of a doubt
Legal

Without any doubt.

Q. Did they really find her innocent?
A. Yes and, what’s more, they found her innocent beyond a shadow of a doubt.

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BFF

This is an abbreviation for: Best Friends Forever.

It is used by the younger, Internet and texting generation.

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Big Apple

This is a nickname for New York City.

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Big brother

The government.

Be careful, big brother is watching us! They are listening to our phone conversations, too!

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Big mouth
Blabber mouth

A person who can’t keep a secret, or talks more than he should, or exaggerates a lot, etc.

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Big shoes to fill

Hard to replace.

I’ve known your former director, and I know these are big shoes to fill but, as your new director, I’ll try to do my best.